Going From Hot to Boiling

When I order a Latte at Starbucks, I always order it at 190 degrees. My latte very seldom is delivered to me at 190 degrees. Even though I persist, I realize there may be several reasons my latte never makes it to my desired temperature.

Perhaps the baristas are so programmed that when they hear “190 degrees” it translates as “extra hot”, and extra hot is relevant- it means different things to different people.

Or, perhaps the barista simply is not listening. I often find I have to repeat parts of my order.

Water is very hot at 211 degrees. But water boils at 212 degrees.

Or, maybe the baristas have been trained that 190 degrees is simply too hot for clumsy people like myself, and they do not want to get sued when I dump it in my lap (even though I was told that their training manual actually sets the limit of hotness right at 190 degrees) thus, they hesitate to do what the customer asks – Another example of perfect strangers knowing what is best for me!

Lastly, maybe the barista doesn’t realize what a difference one or two degrees actually makes.

For instance, water is very hot at 211 degrees. But water boils at 212 degrees. Do you realize the implications of this? Boiling water produces steam. And if there is enough steam, it can power a majestic 100-ton locomotive like we see in a western movie. Hot water won’t move that heavy machine one inch. But give it enough steam from boiling water, and it can move practically anything!

So what would happen if each of us turned up the heat just one degree, going from hot to boiling? What would happen if we turned up the heat in our relationship with the Lord? What would happen if we turned up the heat in relation to our family? What would happen if we turned up the heat in our ministry by one degree?

Earl Nightingale said, “if you will spend an extra hour each day of study in your chosen field, you will be a national expert in that field in five years or less.”

It reminds me of Galatians 6:9: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” In my own words, let’s not just settle for “average” but let’s turn up the heat to boiling because we WILL reap a harvest…!